NRI TAXATION

nri-taxesNRI Related Provisions
Under Income Tax Act and FEMA
I. Residential Status under the Income Tax Act
The determination of correct residential status of an assessee is of paramount importance because the scope of total income as per section 5 of the Income Tax Act depends on it. A person who is a resident is liable to tax in respect of his whole income received or deemed to be received, accruing or arising or deemed to be accrued or arose to him in India and also outside India. On the contrary a non- resident is liable only in respect of income received or deemed to be received, accruing or arising or deemed to accrue or arise in India. It implies that the income derived by such nonresident from any source outside India is immune from Taxation under the Act. The third category of the assessee having the status of ‘Non Ordinarily Resident’ within the meaning of section 6(6) are subject to Tax in respect of income received or accruing or arising or deemed to be received, accrued or arose in India unconditionally and in so far as the income accruing or arising outside India is concerned, it would be put to a tax only if it is derived from a business or profession controlled from India.
Residential Status of Different Persons as under :
A) Individual: An individual may have one of the following three residential status depending upon the circumstances as prescribed in section 6 of the Income Tax Act
(i) Resident (R & OR)
(ii) Non ordinary resident (RBNOR)
(iii) Non-resident
1. Resident : An individual is said to be a Resident in India, if he fulfils any one of the following conditions and he is not a ‘non ordinary resident :
• He is in India in the previous year for a period of 182 days or more;
• He is in India for a period of 60 days or more during the previous year and 365 days or more during the four year, immediately preceding the previous year.
However, in the following cases, an individual shall be treated as resident only if he is in India for a period of 182 days or more during the previous year.
I. If an individual being a citizen of India, leaves India for employment
II. Indian citizen leaving India as a member of crew of an Indian ship, or
III. A citizen of India or a person of Indian origin residing outside India comes on a visit to India.
2. Not Ordinarily Resident : An individual is said to be ‘not ordinarily resident’ if he fulfils any one of the following conditions :-
• An individual who has been ‘non resident’ in India for 9 out of 10 previous years immediately preceding that year.
• If he has lived in India in aggregate for 729 days or less during the 7 previous years immediately preceding that year.
3. Non Resident : An individual is said to be ‘non-resident’ if he does not fulfill any of the conditions prescribed regarding ‘Resident’

Resident and ordinarily resident Resident but not ordinarily resident Non-resident
Must satisfy any one of the basic conditions and none of the additional conditions. Must satisfy any one of the basic conditions and at least one of the additional conditions. Must not satisfy both the basic conditions. Additional conditions not to be considered.

B) Hindu undivided family : A HUF is said to be resident in India if control and management of its affairs is wholly or partly, situated in India. AHUF is said to be ‘not ordinarily resident’, if it’s Karta or Manager has a status of ‘non ordinarily resident’. AHUF shall be treated as ‘non-resident’ if control and management of its affairs is wholly outside India.
C) Association of Person and Partnership Firm : A partnership firm and AOP are said to be ‘resident’ in India, if control and management of their affairs are wholly or partly situated within India during the relevant previous year . An AOP or a Firm will be treated as ‘non-resident’, if control and management of their affairs is situated wholly outside India during the relevant previous year.
D) Company : An Indian Company is always ‘resident’ in India. A foreign company is ‘resident’ in India only if during the previous year, control and management of its affairs are situated wholly in India.
What is Control and Management? ‘Control and Management’ means de facto control and management and not merely the right to control or manage. Control and management is situated at a place where the head, the seat and the directing power are situated. The head and brain is situated where vital decisions concerning the policies of the business, such as, raising finance and its appropriation for specific purposes, appointment and removal of staff, expansion, extension, or diversification of business, etc. are taken.

II. Concept of Residential status under FEMA
 Purpose under FEMA is different as compared to Income Tax
 Under Income Tax, issue is of taxability of income which is determined for the full year, therefore number of days concept has been adopted under Income Tax.
 Whereas under FEMA regulations are there for undertaking clarity on status at the time of undertaking transaction itself, therefore clarity on status at the time of undertaking transaction is a must.
 Though FEMA also uses the concept of number of days stay (of more than 182 days but of preceding financial year) but
 importance is given to intention of going out of India for employment, business or intention to stay outside India for uncertain period
Chart Showing the concept of Residence under FEMA
III. Concept of Deemed Income
Total Income of Non-residents
Sub-section (2) of the section 5 is concerned with the total income of non-resident assessees. According to it, the total income of any previous year of a person who is a non-resident includes all incomes from whatever source derived which–
(i) is received or is deemed to be received in India in such year by or on behalf of such person; or
(ii) accrues or arises or is deemed to accrue or arise to him in India during such year.

The income accruing or arising outside India cannot be deemed to be income chargeable to tax only by virtue of its inclusion in the balance sheet prepared in India.

Further, an income already subjected to tax on accrual basis cannot be again taxed on receipt basis.
Which Income of a person is taxable in India?
Nature of Receipt of Income Whether tax incidence arises
NR R&OR RbNoR
Income received in India whether accrued in India or outside India Yes Yes Yes
Income Deemed to be received in India whether accrued in India or outside India Yes Yes Yes
Income accruing or arising in India whether received in India or outside India Yes Yes Yes
Income Deemed to accrue or arise in India whether received in India or Outside Yes Yes Yes
Income received and accrued outside India from a business controlled from India or a profession set up in India No Yes Yes
Income received and accrued outside India from a business controlled from outside India or a profession set-up outside India. No Yes No

Income deemed to accrue or arise in India
The word ‘accrue’ means ‘to spring as a natural growth’, ‘to come as an accretion or advantage by way of increase’ and is synonymous with the word ‘arise’ which is used in the sense of “coming into existence” ‘springing or growing up by way of addition or advantage’. When the right to receive the income becomes vested in the assessee, it is said to accrue or arise.—Refer to CIT v. Ashokbhai Chimanbhai (1965) 56 ITR 42 (SC).

Income becomes taxable on accrual only after the right of the assessee to the income accrues or arises, and in the case of an agreement, which makes profits receivable at or on the happening of a contingency, the income would accrue only after the event of the contingency takes place.

The words “accrue” and “arise” do not mean actual receipt of the profits. Both these words are used in contradistinction to the word “receive” and indicate a “right to receive”. If the assessee acquires a right to receive the income, the income can be said to accrue to him, though it may be received later, on its being ascertained. Seth Pushalal Mansinghka P Ltd. v. CIT (1967) 66 ITR 159 (SC)

The following incomes shall be deemed to accrue or arise in India under section 9(1)(i) of the Income Tax Act, 1961:
(i) All income accruing or arising, whether directly or indirectly, through or from any business connection in India, or through or from any property in India, or through or from any asset or source of income in India or through the transfer of a capital asset situate on India.

In the recent Vodafone case, the decision of the Supreme Court went against the revenue wherein the Supreme Court says that
• There was transfer of any capital asset situated in India
• That the words directly or indirectly is in connection with the Income and not the word transfer
• Also that under the taxes a assessee is supposed to look merely at what is clearly said – nothing is to be implied, nothing is the be looked in.

However as is the present practise with the department, they have come with a retrospective amendment wherein the scope of deemed income has been expanded to include :

Income from transfer of share or interest in a Company / entity registered / incorporated outside India if the share or interest derives, directly or indirectly, its value substantially from the assets located in India

Explanations to section 9(1)(i) are as follows:

(a) in the case of a business of which all the operations are not carried out in India, the income of the business deemed under section9(1)(i) to accrue or arise in India shall be only such part of the income as is reasonably attributable to the operations carried out in India;

(b) In the case of a non-resident, being a person engaged in the business of running a news agency or of publishing newspapers, magazines or journals, no income shall be deemed to accrue or arise in India to him through or from activities which are confined to the collection of news and views in India for transmission out of India;

(c) In the case of a non-resident, no income shall be deemed to accrue or arise in India to him through or from operations which are confined to the purchase of goods in India for the purpose of export;

(d) In the case of non-resident non citizens or a firm in which all the partners are non resident non citizens, or a company with all shareholder non resident non citizens, no income shall be deemed to accrue or arise in India through or from operations which are confined to the shooting of any cinematograph film in India;

(e) The Finance Act, 2003 has, in order to remove doubts regarding the expression ‘business connection’, inserted two Explanations to clause (i) of sub-section (1) of section 9, clarifying the meaning and scope of business connection.

According to Explanation 2 in clause (i) of section 9(1), the expression “business Connection” shall include any business activity carried out through a person who, acting on behalf of the non-resident,–
(i) has and habitually exercises in India an authority to conclude contracts on behalf of the non-resident, unless his activities are limited to the purchase of goods or merchandise for the non-resident; or
(ii) has no such authority, but habitually maintains in India a stock of goods or merchandise from which he regularly delivers goods or merchandise on behalf of the non-resident; or
(iii) habitually secures orders in India, mainly or wholly for the non-resident or for that non-resident and other non-residents controlling, controlled by, or subject to the same common control, as that non-resident.

The expression “business connection” shall not, however, be held to be established in cases where the non-resident carries on business through a broker, general commission agent or any other agent of an independent status, if such a person is acting in the ordinary course of his business.
It is also provided that where such broker, general commission agent or any other agent works mainly or wholly on behalf of non-resident (hereafter in this proviso referred to as the principal non-resident) or on behalf of such non-resident and other non residents which are controlled by the principal non-resident or have a controlling interest in the principal non-resident or are subject to the same common control as the principal non-resident, he shall not be deemed to be a broker, general commission agent or an agent of an independent status.

The Explanation 3 has further clarified where a business is carried on in India through a person referred to in clause (a) or clause (b) or clause (c) of Explanation 2, only so much of income as is attributable to the operations carried out in India shall be deemed to accrue or arise in India.

(ii) Income which falls under the head “Salaries”, if it is earned in India Income of the nature referred to above payable for
(a) service rendered in India; and
(b) the rest period or leave period which is preceded and succeeded by services rendered in India and forms part of the service contract of employment shall be regarded as income earned in India.

(iii) Income chargeable under the head “Salaries” payable by the Government to a citizen of India for service outside India;

(iv) A dividend paid by an Indian company outside India;

(v) Clause v deals with certain type of interest incomes which are deemed to accrue or arise in India,
However where the interest is payable by a resident or a non resident in respect of any debt incurred or moneys borrowed abroad and used,–
(a) for the purposes of a business or profession carried on by such person outside India, or
(b) for the purposes of making or earning any income from any source outside India; then such interest income is not deemed to accrue or arise in India

Here if the funds are utilised for other purpose other than the business outside india then the treatment will be different in case of resident and non resident.

If resident uses the funds in India for any purpose, then the interest will be deemed to accrue or arise in india.
In the Non Resident uses the funds outside India , say for the purpose of buying the shares of an India Company, the interest still not accrue or arise in India.

(vi) Clause vi deals with some type of royalty income which shall be deemed to accrue or arise in India,

(vii) Clause vii deals with Income by way of “fees for technical services” which will be deemed to accrue or arise in India–

In the following cases the concept of Receipt of income was elaborated by the judiciary
In CIT V. Toshiku Ltd. (1980) 125 ITR 525 (SC) it was held that mere credit of the commission of NRI Agent in the books of Indian Company could not be treated as receipt in India as the amount was not at the disposal of the agent.
If the Income is once received abroad, it cannot be again deemed to be received in India on its remittance to India. It is the first receipt which will determine the character of receipt. Delhi Tribunal 86 ITD 626 (2003)
IV. Practical Issues and Case Laws on Salary Income

Sr. No. Situation R&OR RBNoR NR
1. An Indian Citizen Leaving India for a Job or returning to India after a job
Whole of the salary will be taxable in India.
In case the Income is also taxable in the other country, Credit of the Tax Paid outside India may be claimed in accordance with the DTAA Provisions with the relevant country Same as NR Taxable only if the same is deemed to accrue or arise in India or received / deemed to be received in India. Normally if the income is received in the foreign territory where it accrues, then no part of the income will be taxable in India.
2. A foreign Personnel coming to India for a Job
Whole of the salary will be taxable in India.
As the services are rendered in India, the same will be taxable in India As the services are rendered in India, the same will be taxable in India

Example on Salary – Stay in India on termination of services
The assessee formerly living in India was employed at Hong Kong from 24-10-1978 to 15-7-1979 under a service agreement for nine months. The contract was terminated on 15-7-1979 and the assessee came to India for 86 days from July, 1979 to October, 1979. He then joined service in Jordon from 1-11-1979 to 28-2-1980. Before the assessing officer, the assessee claimed the status of non-resident. The assessing officer treated the status of the assessee as resident in view of section 6(1)(c). The High Court observed that a perusal of the section 6(1)(c) shows that if a person is in India for a period exceeding 60 days, he falls in the category of resident. The Explanation thereto relaxes this provision to 90 days (now 182 days) for the persons who are in service and on leave or vacation (I.e. he comes to india for a visit and not uncertain intention). Thus decided that the case of the assessee does not fall within the Explanation providing extended period of stay for exclusion from the category of resident. (2008) 299 ITR 295 (P&H)

For the purpose of Explanation (b) to section 6(1)(c), one has to consider the entry of the person in India during the previous year. If all the entries in India are for the purpose of visit, then the period of 60 days as mentioned in section 6(1)(c) will be substituted to 182 days. However, if in the previous year, the assessee had come to India permanently after leaving his employment outside India, the above Explanation will not be applicable. Manoj Kumar Reddy v. ITO (2010) 132 TTJ 328 (Banglore Trib).

TDS Provision for Salary :
The employer paying the salary in India will deduct the TDS in accordance with the Provisions of Section 192 of the Income Tax Act where there is no differentiation for the resident or a Non Resident.
V. Property Related FEMA Provisions
As per FEMA – A Non Resident Indian and a PIO can buy / sell any property in India except Agricultural Land, Plantation Property , Farm House. These are under the general permission and hence no form / information are required to be filed with RBI.
Foreign Citizens cannot acquire property in India, however they can obtain the property in India on a lease for less than 5 years.
Where the property was purchased by the NRI / PIO, then on selling of property, broadly, the basic amount invested is repatriable. The Profits out of the transactions are though non repatriable, the same can be repatriated under the US$ One Million Scheme.
The Restriction on Remittance of the sale proceeds of not more than 2 residential houses is still there.
Where the property was acquired by way of inheritance, then on sale, the NRI / PIO may remit an amount upto US$ 10,00,000 ( US$ One million) per year without prior permission of the RBI. Any amount above the same will require permission of RBI.
Where the NRI / PIO is proprietor / partner in the firm, then the firm or proprietary concern should not be engaged in any agricultural/plantation or real estate business, print media.
Under the automatic route, the amount invested in the firm / proprietory firm cannot be repatriated, the income there from can be repatriated.
Whether the deduction for Interest U/s 24 for self occupied property, and other deductions like municipal tax etc available to NRI – Yes
VI. Investment Income of NRI’s – Special Provisions under Income Tax Act – (Chapter XII-A)

 Applicable to investment income and Long Term Capital Gain derived from Specified Assets.
 Specified Assets include:
– Shares in an Indian Company (Including Pvt Companies)
– Debentures or deposits with an Indian company, not being
a private company
– Any Security of the Central Government.
– Other notified assets (no such asset has been yet notified)
 Available to only NRIs (others excluded) as per IT Act.

NRI Opting for special provisions are denied :
 Any expenditure or allowance under any provisions of the IT Act. (Such as Interest on OD, Bank charges but expenditure incurred for transfer of long term capital asset allowed.
 Deductions under Chapter VIA (Like section 80C, 80L etc.)
 Benefit of Indexation for the purpose of calculating Capital gains.
 (Section 48 1st Proviso Benefit of Foreign Currency Conversion available).
Tax Payable under this chapter is:
 Investment Income – 20%
 Long Term Capital Gain – 10%
 No Tax on Re-investment of Long Term Capital Gain (Section 115F), if invested into any specified asset within 6 months

Table Showing Tax System for NRI (Investment Income)
Concessional Tax regime Normal Tax regime
 LTCG @ 10%
 Investment 20%
 No threshold limit
 No Indexation
 No tax if investment within 6 months in specified assets – Shares/Debentures of Indian Company.
 No deduction from Income & No rebate from Tax.
 No need to file tax return if tax deducted at source.  LTCG @ Nil rate (for shares/equity MFs)
 Threshold limit available.
 Deduction from Gross Total Income.

Why Scheme is not so widely opted:
 Applicable to Investment Income & Long Term Capital Gains only (It excludes, short term capital gain and share trading income)
 By filing return also, applicable rate of tax for long term capital gain will be NIL.
 Dividend income which falls in category of investment income as such is exempt from tax
 Major benefit will be only in case when NRI has got large investment in Company Deposits (Only limited Companies and not Pvt Ltd) or debentures and income falls in 30% tax bracket and tax payable under scheme would be 20%.
Capital gains on shares & debentures of Indian Company :(When STT is not paid)
Relevant Sections 48 & 112 :
 Section 48 provides for mode of computation of long term capital gains liable to tax and Section 112 provides rate of tax.
Benefit of capital gain 1st Proviso:
 Available to all Non residents (Including HUF)
 Capital assets being shares & debentures of Indian Companies.
 Capital gain shall be computed by converting Cost of acquisition, Expenditure for transfer and also Sales proceeds into Foreign Currency.
 Capital gain so computed shall be reconverted into Indian Rupees.

Observations on Capital gains 1st Proviso to Sec 48 & other points:
 Circular No 554 explains the intention of converting into foreign currency.
 NRIs were adversely affected when they sell shares.
 To overcome the situation Sec 48(1) has been amended.
 Therefore, it is a beneficial proviso and should be applied only when it is beneficial and not when it results into adverse situation.
 On other assets normal provision will apply like indexed cost, cost of improvement etc.
 Immovable properties – All benefits of Sec 54, 54F,54EC available.
Capital gain on Shares & Securities on which STT is paid
 Long term capital gain – Exempt under Section 10(38).
 Short term capital gain @ 15%, however to Non Resident no threshold limit deduction is available with respect to such STCG. (Proviso to Sec 111A)
Threshold limit for Non Residents
 Enhanced limit for Senior Citizens AND Women assesses not available to Non Resident Senior Citizen and Women

VII. Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement

Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements provide protection to tax payers against taxation of the same income in two countries. India’s agreements with foreign countries are of two types.
Comprehensive Agreements relating to avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income and capital gain
Limited Agreements relating to income arising of enterprises from aircrafts or ships

Section 90 enables the Central Government to enter into an agreement with the Government of any country outside India for granting relief in respect of income on which have been paid both income-tax under Income Tax Act and in other country outside India, and for avoidance of double taxation of income under the Act and under the corresponding law in force in the other country.

Section 91 makes provisions for grant of relief by the Government of India in respect of incomes which had suffered tax both in India and in the country with which there is no agreement for double taxation relief or for avoidance of double taxation. For the purpose of claiming relief, the requisites are that the assessee must show
(a) that he is a resident in India in the year in which relief is claimed
(b) that the income on which relief is claimed has accrued outside India, and
(c) that he had paid tax in the foreign country in respect of such income, which accrued outside India.

VIII. Exempt incomes of non-residents
Section Brief explanation
10(4) (ii) Interest on NRE A/c. – A/c should be maintained as per FEMA , Person should be Person Resident Outside India as per FEMA., Available only to Individuals & not to HUF
10(6)(ii) Remuneration to employees of Embassy, High Commission
10(6)(vi) Remuneration to employees of foreign enterprise
10(6)(viii) Salary received by non-resident employed on a foreign ship
10(6)(xi) Remuneration received by an employee of a foreign government in India
10(6A) Tax on royalties or fees for technical services earned by a foreign company
10(6B) Tax on income (excluding salary royalty or fees for technical services) pursuant to an agreement upto 31-5-2002
10(6C) Income by way of royalty of technical services earned by notified foreign companies
10(7) Allowances or perquisites given by government to a citizen rendering service outside India
10(8) Income of a foreign government employee under a government agreed cooperative technical assistance programme
10(8A) 10(8B) Remuneration or fees received by non-resident consultants
10(9) Income of family members of an employee serving under a cooperative technical assistance programme
10(15)(i) Interest/premium/other payments on notified securities bonds, certificates and deposit interest
10(15)(iid) Interest on NRI bonds
10(15)(iii) Interest on securities held by issue department of Central Bank of Ceylon
10(15)(iiia) Interest payable to any foreign bank performing central banking functions outside India
10(15)(iv) Interest payable on deposits in foreign currency (will include RFC deposits and FCNR deposits) – Available to individuals and HUFs who are either Non Resident or R But NoR in terms of Sec. 6(6).
10(15A) Aircraft or aircraft engine lease rent paid under an approved agreement
10(23BBB) Income of EEC
10(23BBC) Income of SAARC fund
10(34) Income by way of dividends referred to in section 115-O
10(35) Income in respect of units.

IX. Chart Showing the Rates of TDS in case of Non Resident Persons for the FY 12-13

Section Nature of Payment Status Tax (%)

194E Payment to nonresident sportsmen or sports association 10
195(a) Income from foreign exchange assets payable to an Indian citizen 20
195(b) Income by way of long-term capital gain referred to in sec. 115E 10
195(c) Income by way of Short-term capital gains u/s. 111A 15
195(d) Income from other long-term capital gains 20
195(e) Income by way of interest payable by Government/Indian concern on money borrowed or debt incurred by Government or Indian concern in foreign currency 20
195(f) and (g) Royalty – where the agreement is made after 1-6-2005 10
195(h) Fee for technical services where the agreement is made after 1-6-2005 10
195(i) Any other income COMPANY 40
OTHERS 30
196A Income in respect of Units of Non-residents 20
196B Income and Long-term Capital gain from units of an Off shore fund 10
196C Income and Long-term Capital Gain from Foreign Currency Bonds or shares of Indian companies 10
196D Income of Foreign Institutional Investors for Securities 20

Surcharge
( On Tax) Applicable for Foreign Companies if payment/credit exceeds Rs.1 crore 2.5
Education Cess on Tax deducted Plus Surcharge 3
X. Section 195: – Withholding Tax (TDS) Rates for NRI’s
Peculiar Features:
 Resident making payment even in INR has to consider Sec 195.
 There is no threshold limit.
 Deductor has to workout amount chargeable to tax.
 Sec 90 of the Act provide for option to be governed by the provisions of DTAA (Circular no.728, the tax should be deducted either at the rate provided in the Finance Act or at the rate provided in DTAA whichever is more beneficial to the assesse.
 Deductor can claim refund of tax if the contract is cancelled & no remittance is made/remittance made is refund (Circular No.790 dt.20/4/2008)
Non Applicability of Section 195
 Income which is not taxable in India. Since Sec.195 uses the words as “…..or any other sum chargeable under the provisions of this Act”
 Income is covered under specific sections, like salary is liable for deduction U/s 192 or income of offshore fund liable to tax U/s 115AB where applicable TDS section is Sec.196B
 Income from Foreign Currency Bonds or GDR’s, which is liable for TDs u/s 196C
 Income of FII’s from Securities ( not being dividend, Short term or Long Term Capital Gain) which is liable for TDS u/s 196D
Section 195 (1):
 All payments to non-resident, other than salaries, which are chargeable to tax under the Act, are covered.
 Sec.195 doesn’t cover within its ambit RbNOR because of Sec 2(30) definition of NR includes RbNoR only for Sec 92, 93 & 168 and not for Sec.195
Section 195(2)
 Where deductor is not sure as to which part of the amount payable to the non-resident is chargeable to tax, he can apply to the Assessing officer to determine the proportion of the sum so chargeable and on such application the Assessing Officer is to make an order determining the proportion of such income on which tax is to be deducted under sub-section (1)
Sec 195(3),(4),(5) :
 Provides a machinery under which any non-resident may apply for, and the Assessing officer may give, a certificate to the effect that any such payment to the Non-resident may be made without deduction of tax at source, or with deduction at a lesser than the prescribed rate of tax.

Sec 195(6) :
 Provides for submission of the Form 15CA ( online) and obtaining 15CB ( certificate from CA) for the remittances to be made to Non residents.
 The Form 15CA has to be submitted online on the NSDL Website which is based on the certificate in Form NO. 15CB obtained from the CA.
Relevant Rules:
 Rule 26 – Computing Withholding Tax
 For income payable in Foreign currency – Telegraphic Transfer buying rate of SBI on the date on which tax is “required to be deducted” is the relevant exchange rate.
 Rule 37A-
 – Withholding tax return to be filed by the payer in Form No.27Q and the frequency of the said return is same as that of the normal TDS return I.e. 15th Days after each qtr and in the case of last qtr 45 days i.e. 15th May.
Interesting Observations of the Supreme Court on Section 195:

Whether to use this section for any transaction or not, the two characteristics needs to be present:
1. The Payment is to a Non resident
2. The Transaction must be chargeable to Tax in India
For a transaction where there is no chargeability in India, it is not possible to make a Non Resident responsible for withholding the Tax
The transfer of the shareholding in Cayman Island company does not give any rise to a transfer of any capital asset in India and hence this transaction is not taxable in India and hence the buyers does not have any obligation to withhold any tax on the transaction
XI. Tax Planning in respect of Residential Status: For the purpose of tax planning the following broad propositions should be borne in mind :

• In order to enjoy non-resident status, individuals, who are visiting India on a business trip or other connection, should not stay in India for more than 181 days during one previous year and their total stay in India during any four previous years preceding the relevant previous year should in no case exceed 364 days.
• If individuals, having been in India for more than 365 days during four years preceding the relevant previous year, wish to stay in India for more than 60 days, they should plan their visit to India in such a manner that their total stay in India falls under two previous years, To illustrate, such person can come to India any time in the first week of February and stay up to May 29 without incurring any risk of losing their non resident status.
• An Indian citizen or a person of Indian origin (whether rendering services outside India or not) can stay for maximum period of 181 days on a visit to India without losing his non-resident status. If, such a manner that their maximum stay in India for more than 181 days, they should plan their visit in such a manner that their maximum stay of 362 days fall under 2 previous years, stay in each previous year being not more than 181 days.31
• An Indian citizen leaving India for the purpose of employment, will not be treated as resident in India, unless he has been in India in that year for 182 days or more. In other words, Indian citizens going abroad for the purpose of employment can stay in India for 181 days without becoming resident in that year, even if they were in India for more than 365 days during the four preceding years. This concession is available only to those who want to leave the country for the purpose of employment
• Anon-resident can escape tax liability in respect of income earned out of India if he first receives it out of India and then remits the whole or part of it to India, even though the business is controlled from India.
• A person, who is not ordinarily resident, earning income outside India from a business control outside India, can avoid tax liability if he first receives such income in a foreign country and than remit the whole or part of it to India, either in the same year or in the following year(s).
• Not-ordinarily resident persons can claim set-off of losses sustained in the business controlled outside India against their income taxable in India, provided they shift the control of the business to India.

XII. Important Ruotine NRI issues and FEMA Provisions

Important Circulars / Rules Purpose
Foreign Exchange Management (Permissible capital account transactions) Regulations, 2000 as amended from time to time Details the various types of transactions which are termed as capital account transaction.
Foreign Exchange Management (Current Account Transactions) Rules, 2000
Specify the generally permitted current account transactions
Master Circular on Miscellaneous Remittances from India –
Facilities for Residents Consolidates the miscellaneous payments like Business Visits, International Credit Card Payments, International Debit Card payments, Liberalised Remittance Scheme upto US$ 2,00,000 for Residents
Master Circular on Remittance Facilities for Non-Resident Indians / Persons of Indian Origin / Foreign Nationals
Clarifies the remittances which can be made and the limits and conditions subject to which the same can be made
Master Circular on Acquisition and Transfer of Immovable Property in India by NRIs/PIOs/Foreign Nationals of Non- Indian Origin
Clarifies the Issues on Sale and Purchase of the Immovable Property in India
Master Circular on Foreign Investment in India
Details various issues for the Foreign Investment in India whether NRI’s or FII etc.

IMPORT OF FOREIGN CURRENCY
An NRI may bring into India any amount of foreign exchange
1. An NRI is required to submit on arrival in India, a declaration to the Custom Authorities in “Currency Declaration Form – CDF ” the details regarding foreign exchange bought in India.
2. However, no such declaration is necessary if
i. The foreign exchange bought in India in form of currency notes, bank notes, or travellers cheques does not exceed US$ 10,000 or its equivalent.
ii. The foreign currency notes bought in does not exceed US$ 5000 or equivalent.

GENERAL CONTRAVENTIONS

NRIs often contravene FEMA / Income Tax / Wealth Tax regulation by :
1. Investing/expending money through relatives/agents in India, which are strictly required to be made through banks only;

2. Making investments in proprietary concern , partnership firm by way of deposit without compiling with the rules of the RBI. – It has to be through the FCNR(B), NRE or NRE Account and Firm should not be engaged in the restricted areas i.e. Agriculture, Real estate and Print Media.
It is clarified that “real estate business” means dealing in land and immovable property with a view to earning profit or earning income therefrom and does not include development of townships, construction of residential / commercial premises, roads or bridges, educational institutions, recreational facilities, city and regional level infrastructure, townships.

Agricultural Restrictions exclude Floriculture, Horticulture, Development of seeds, Animal Husbandry, Pisciculture and cultivation of vegetables, mushrooms, etc. under controlled conditions and services related to agro and allied sectors and Tea Plantations
3. Continuing FCNR/NRE or other NRI accounts after returning to India vis-à-vis also maintaining local resident accounts. – These needs to be converted in RFC Account or a Normal Resident Account
4. Not informing change of residential status on migrating/becoming NRI to Banks, LIC, Companies etc.

REMITTANCE OF FUNDS OUTSIDE INDIA
Reserve Bank of India vide A.P. (DIR) Series Circular No. 45 dated. 14th May, 2002 has clarified / instructed bankers to allow repatriation of current income like rent, dividend, pension, interest etc. of NRIs who may not be maintaining NRO account. For the said purpose, the Reserve Bank of India has prescribed for the bankers to obtain :
(i)Appropriate certificate of Chartered Accountant certifying eligibility of proposed remittance, and
(ii)Further, certifying that applicable taxes have been paid / provided for.

THANKS

Contact Information :
CA. Alok Jain
Email : alokbjain@hotmail.com
Mobile : + 91 98262 53356

 

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